Fresh off an, um … what do you call it when a team wins one game and ties the other? It's not a sweep. It's not a split. How about a spleep? Anyways, the Nationals beat the Mets in Viera yesterday and then tied the Tigers in Lakeland. Today, one unified squad heads down to Jupiter to face the Cardinals.

The most notable name making the trip is Adam LaRoche, who went 1-for-2 with an RBI single in his spring debut yesterday and felt so good about he convinced manager Davey Johnson to let him play again today.

Gio Gonzalez is on the mound for his second start, coming off a dominating performance against the Braves. He'll once again be facing a lineup boasting plenty of starters; the World Series champs have Matt Holliday, David Freese, Lance Berkman and Yadier Molina playing today.

Splin? Wint? Twin? (Nah, too confusing.) Spleep sounds funnier so go with it. Fresh off an, um … what do you call it when a team wins one game and ties the other? It's not a sweep. It's not a split. How about a spleep?

Coupla thoughts:Eury Perez is putting together a nice spring. He got two more hits yesterday, including a knock off of Verlander. This stint is sure to boost his confidence as he heads to the next rung in the minors.Craig Stammen threw three scoreless innings with four strikeouts. Seemed he had value as a righty long man late last season. I wouldn't be surprised to see him with the Nats at some point this year — if they cut ties with Gorzy or if a trade or injury puts Detwiler in the rotation. Stammen can mop up, spot start, bunt and pinch run. He does a lot of things well.

Drew said… Coupla thoughts:Eury Perez is putting together a nice spring. He got two more hits yesterday, including a knock off of Verlander. This stint is sure to boost his confidence as he heads to the next rung in the minors.Craig Stammen threw three scoreless innings with four strikeouts. Seemed he had value as a righty long man late last season. I wouldn't be surprised to see him with the Nats at some point this year — if they cut ties with Gorzy or if a trade or injury puts Detwiler in the rotation. Stammen can mop up, spot start, bunt and pinch run. He does a lot of things well. March 11, 2012 10:57 AM _______________________________You bring up 2 players that came in the "best shape of their lives".Both added girth. Remember the discussion here about Stammen adding girth to his lower posterior?Eury Perez has done the same.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4Vux5KhEg4http://youtu.be/C7MxfgWBgBwThe other player is Corey Brown who is doing it with the bat and glove.

These are the kind of days that I can't believe these games aren't on MASN or at a minimum WJFK. How are the Nats supposed to build a larger fan base. With the renewed interest/excitement about the team this year, this is the time to maximize the team's exposure. There is a large segment of the population that can't afford and/or know that these games are on the MLB audio channel. Seems a shame….But I guess I can always relax on the porch and listen to a couple more hours of RG3 talk….

Obligatory disclaimer: I've only had Gameday Audio since last week. Opinion and information based on small sample size: I've thoroughly enjoyed it to date. The Gameday Audio for the games to which I listened did not seem to start up until just about game time. Will be nice to have listening company.

How does a MLB organization allow Ian D. to go home and work with his High School Coach on major swing changes and not know anything about it?How does a MLB manager and Hitting Coach wait 3 weeks into camp to notice it and another week to get to work fixing it. What dose Rick E do all day?

JayB.. guessing Desi did it on his own, came to camp, and like NatsJack said, they talked to him, gave him leeway to see if it worked for him and are now yanking it back to .. Do it our way. The players go off on their own for the offseason and work with trainers/specialists all they time. Unfortunately, the team can do little about it until they get back to camp.Again, to quote the esteemed philospher Crash Davis "Don't think, Meat, it can only hurt the team!"

Some of these guys appear to be late bloomers, e.g. Stammen and Corey Brown. A number of other guys have looked pretty good, too, like Carroll and Perez. Carroll is only 29, so he could be around awhile if he sticks. DeRosa is a lock to make the team. And then there is Harper. Suddenly, the Nats seem to have depth in the OF should Bernie, Werth, Ankiel or Morse get injured.Tyler Moore seems to have a lot more pop than Marrero, and he may be one of the bench guys if he does well at AAA this year, instead of Chris M. SS has so many possibilities, short-term and long-term, that it is just a matter of time before it is solved.And that is before you get to the pitching staff, which is deep and talented. This team could be really, really good, if Ankiel, LaRoche and Zim stay healthy, and Werth reverts to form. That's a lot of ifs, but they have reasonable fall-backs this year (except for Zim) in case someone goes down, again, or fails to perform. And next year, they will likely have Rendon to back up Zim. Davey and Rizzo have a lot to play with. I think Davey is right. This team is more talented than his championship Mets team.

Re: cortisone shots. My doctor (who is the physician for the Georgetown Hoyas and some pointy ball team that traded away their draft choices) prescribed a sequence of oral cortisone that worked great but only lasted a couple of days. He said he'd be glad to give me a shot for "special occasions" but not on a regular basis because it causes eventual weakening of muscle and cartilage.info on cortisone shots

kirbs said… Just saw the O's are on MASN……. March 11, 2012 1:26 PM_____________________________Surprise! Plus they have had a videographer and beat reporter there the whole time.If it weren't for CSN and Kelli Johnson we wouldn't have had barely anything.

The difference is that cortisone shots are corticosteroids and not anabolic steroids. The term "steroids" is broader than just the illegal stuff. Kind of like "drugs" – are we talking heroin or aspirin?

Off-topic: any news anywhere on Natsfest 2012, or similar events? It's ridiculous that Nats fans don't get the same opportunities that fans of other teams get to meet players and get excited for the upcoming season.

natsfan1a and NatsLady — I'm at the game and that's exactly what it was re ALR. Deep enough to score a fast runner but with ALR only in his 2nd game back, a damp field and it's only spring training, they would have been crazy to risk it. Just no point to it, and too bad Rendon couldn't get it out to right.

Michele, I would rather have our top 3, and I'd bet the Phillies would take that trade. SS, JZ and Gio will still be dominating when they have the HOF vote for Halliday. I like our righty lineup against Lee and Hamels this year.Somebody laced the Kool-Aid, but it tastes real good this time of year. Our young guys take the season series against the creaky Phils.

NatsLady — Gio looked good. Ball was a little up initially as the Cards got several solidly hit fly ball outs and line singles in the first couple of innings, but still was never in any real trouble, and that's against mostly the Cards' A lineup. Then settled down and got Berkman swinging in the 4th with a devastating knee-buckling 77mph curve.Don't know how long the rain delay will be. They were squeegeeing the outfield after the first storm cell let up but the tarp was still on the infield when the second cell hit. Now we're into the trailing rain clouds but it's still raining hard.

It's early yet, I know. But I was thinking the long-term security for Gio and RZimm has got to feel good. Unless you are the type who lets security turn into complacency–and apparently neither one is that type–you don't have to worry about a "contract year" for a long time…

What's everyone's feeling about the starting rotation derby so far? Stras, Zim, Gio looking solid -Gio probably the best. Could he start opening day? Jackson for the 4 spot? Detweiler has the lead on Wang and Lannan in my book at this point. I am sure that there will be lead changes coming.Who do you have for the bench — DeRosa for sure – Carroll, Tracy, Teahan, Lombo? If you had to chose today, who would you choose? Fun stuff! Bullpen – I say Gorzy goes, Stammen gets a shot. A veritable smorgasbord of pitchers.

First the broadcasters at the Cubs/Dodgers game are talking Italian beef sandwiches and now I read this? Oh, and swami's talking smorgasbord? I think it must be time for a snack. :-)Special thanks to Eddie for updates from the field, and to everybody who posted about it for the cancellation info. Type at y'all later.MicheleS said… Kilgore has a better quote from Twitter: "Espinosa, Michaels and LaRoche left the clubhouse eating steak and cheese subs. I'd say it's over" They need to take one of those subs to Det March 11, 2012 3:23 PM

Swami, I'd be very surprised if Wang isn't the #5 starter come opening day, with Det as the long LH relief/spot starter and John Lannan wearing a different uniform. The pen is going to be a bunch of tough decisions, especially if Davey sticks to his stated desire to only carry 11 pitchers.

Gonat, you just contradicted yourself. They don't count then you say they always count.They count here for the haters like the ones pointing out Ian Desmonds spring stats.Stats count when taken in context meaning small sample sizes are difficult to consider.

Swami – you question about the rotation derby is a good one but remember that Wang holds most of the cards in this game. He can't be traded until May, can't really be used in the bullpen with his long warmup and previous shoulder issues and can't be sent to AAA because someone would certainly scoop him up. The fact that we have heard nothing but good things does help me in this but its really not a competition. I have said all along that if Wang is 90% of what he was back when he won 19 games two years in a row, we would have the most dominant #5 starter in all of baseball and I still believe that to be true. My guess is Detwiler to the pen and LannEn to AAA. I really don't want to get rid of LannEn with the reality that we will end up using 8 or 9 starters this season and he can certainly be one of them.

Bullpen – I say Gorzy goes, Stammen gets a shot. A veritable smorgasbord of pitchers.I say this is silly fan speak swami. Gorzelanny is left-handed. Stammen is not. Stammen, on the right side has no competition if Wang is a starter. They aren't going to let Gorzelanny go given that Detwiler has clearly said he strongly prefers to start. My guess is that's how Johnson is going to handle it. He'll be the hot spare as its seems unlikely for Wang to finish the season … either he is traded in May or they shut him down. Its highly unlikely he finishes the season ya know? And Detwiler's power left arm is an advantage in the NL East. As for Gorzelanny, as I've said countless times, he was their best left-handed relief specialist last year. Statistics don't lie and they show he was the better starter of all lefties last year. Including Lannan. Once they non-tendered Slaten Gorzelanny is all they have after Burnett. Lannan either goes to AAA or is traded. Nothing else makes sense.

I hear you about the other factors that come into play. I just want to know what players you think have the lead – if it IS truly a competition, which maybe it isn't.So – just assume that the best 25 really go north ( wink, wink). With absolutely no other considerations, what's your rotation? Right now, I think Detweiler gets the spot. And -it's too bad that this won't be based on who pitches the best.

So if Anon 5:00 is making correct assumptions, then the bullpen has Storen, Clip, HRod, Lidge plus lefties Burnett, Gorzelanny and Detwiler. Burnett is a LOOGY for the most part, Gorz and Det are the long options. This leaves Stammen and Lannan in AAA or other non-CurlyW uniforms.This is kinda how I expect it to fall as well.If another starter is needed early, it would be Lannan if he's around. And at some point, Detwiler gets some starts, and either Stammen or Mattheus gets called up. I think the position players are settled as well except the last bench spot. Flores, Bernadina (consider Ankiel in the first 8), DeRosa, Lombardozzi and ???.Of course, there's always the possibility of a late March trade…

Right now, I think Detweiler gets the spot. And -it's too bad that this won't be based on who pitches the best.And how much major league experience does Detwiler have? Or Detweiler as you spell it? How much does Gorzelanny have? How much pitching in the bullpen and starting? Gorzelanny provides far more flexibility than Lannan, Detwiler, and Wang that's a fact. Sorry to disappoint you.As for who pitches best have you looked at the WHIPS lately? Strasburg is down near the bottom with Gorzelanny. If we go by the 'baseballwami' criterial then Strasburg gets optioned to AAA. I think you don't understand how pitchers are measured this early in the spring. Its about arm strength. And whether the coaches believe a guy is major league ready … that is ready for a grueling 162 game season as much as performance. IMO Wang really isn't. And that's why you see EJax in the rotation, and why Detwiler will be in the rotation at some point. And why both Stammen and Gorzelanny will make this team.Gorzelanny has a power left arm, as does Detwiler.

OK – let me explain — this was intended to be a fun, what if? kind of game. No – I am not silly or an idiot, yes, I understand how pitchers are looked at in the spring. Sheesh, lighten up. The time change has made some people a little cranky.

swami, today's guess would be Brett Carroll, young enought that he still could develop more game, more power. More than capable enough in the field. Right handed. Good baserunner. And I would not be surprised to see Lombardozzi sent to AAA to play and leadoff everyday and have Andres Blanco be the backup middle infielder.

I think the position players are settled as well except the last bench spot. Flores, Bernadina (consider Ankiel in the first 8), DeRosa, Lombardozzi and ???.Sunderland I think the Nats were hoping lefty Chad Tracy would show more than he has. He would be LaRoche's backup at first base. Have to believe that Tracy is on his way out. They are giving a lot of at bats to Carroll (the right-handed Ankiel), Michaels, and Corey Brown. Corey Brown appears to have the lead offensively. AND he is a left-handed bat, something the Nats are almost desperately bereft of. I believe Ankiel, Brown, Bernadina Carroll, and Michaels are the competition at this point. Given Brown's SLG/OPS and the faith the veterans have in Ankiel along with some projected offensive improvement Bernadina may potentially be a part of that late March trade package. Brown is an excellent CF. Ankiel has only had 6 at bats and a minor league contract so …The Nats need left-handed bats. DeRosa, Lombardozzi and Flores represent right-handed bats although Lombo represents switch-hitting. If Harper is sent down until the end of April or June then its possible we might see all of Bernadina, Brown and Ankiel continue that competition into June. Given Carroll's arm they could let Ankiel go and keep him since Brown plays CF. Plus Davey likes Carroll and his age is an advantage. I think this competition will continue through spring training. It seems likely end with Harper and Brown returning to Syracuse (both told to get ready) along with Tyler Moore, Blanco and Solano. Bernadina traded. The bench seems likely to consist of Lombardozzi, DeRosa, Flores, Ankiel, Carroll with Bernadina odd-man out. His hitting in ST isn't inspiring anyone. But neither is Harper's, making it easier on the FO to send him to AA/AAA for more seasoning. The lineup in Syracuse will be interesting to watch if Tyler Moore, Corey Brown, and Bryce Harper are in the same lineup. A lot of synergy could be generated. All three could be potential early to mid-season call-ups if the offensive performance in the minors is there.

Don't know whether they'll make it up, NatsLady, it being a ST game. The other Nats/Cards game was already scheduled for tomorrow. Not sure how it works in ST but had it been the regular season, I think they'd have to start from scratch because they only got through 4 innings.

And I would not be surprised to see Lombardozzi sent to AAA to play and leadoff everyday and have Andres Blanco be the backup middle infielder.Normally I'd agree with you Sunderland. Lombo hasn't had that much time in AAA and on a team with Moore, Harper, Brown, and Valdez he'll get lots of practice as a lead-off guy. The potential even exists for either Kobernus or Rendon to land there at some point … while Perez, Hood, and (hopefully) Hague try to work their way out of Harrisburg. BUT and it is a huge BUT. Davey Johnson, for a second time, has criticized Desmond's batting stance and offense in the media. THAT"S TWICE!!! For Desmond that's basically getting a stern memorandum from the boss. And looking at Desmond's stats for the spring? They are beyond miserable at this point. And Davey is attributing it to something Desmond's high school baseball coach told him to do. We look at DeRosa's average in ST. And he was out for an entire year and is in his late thirties. Desmond appears to be getting himself into some serious hot water.So, who is the backup lead-off hitter then? You guessed it: Stephen Lombardozzi with Espinosa at shortstop. Johnson appears to be losing patience with a guy he touted for the shortstop position? I'm not sure what's going through Desmond's head but he appears to be stubborn in his approach. With Espinosa, Lombardozzi, Rendon, Kobernus, and perhaps Hague right behind him he is taking an awful chance methinks. So, pencil Lombardozzi in for the 25-man going north. … and Blanco for Syracuse along with Carlos Rivero … and eventually there might be Rendon, and perhaps Hague in the mix.

Boy, am I glad the Angels are not in our league/division. That is some offense they got going there.But this year your team has the pitching and defense to shut the Angels down Natslady. Never forget that. Its what the Nats are going to leverage to get into the playoffs if they get that far. And Johnson has sincerely said he would be greatly disappointed if they don't. So, I expect they will. But it won't be because of the offense.

Looks like no audio for tomorrow's game ): So I guess it's Gameday and pay attention to students…Meanwhile, MASN (AngelO's) televises last place Orioles games merrily throughout the spring. I do hope the Lerner's are working on that conundrum.

He said he'd be glad to give me a shot for "special occasions" but not on a regular basis because it causes eventual weakening of muscle and cartilage.That is correct. And that is because the cortisone "hides" the injury. A professional athlete could re-injure the muscle without realizing it because the Cortisone tends to hide the pain. And that's why Johnson is so conservative with injuries as opposed to Riggleman (see starting Adam LaRoche when there was clearly something seriously wrong.). In the end it doesn't pay. Its how guys like Kerry Wood and Tom Gorzelanny almost lost their careers but serious damage was done to those careers nonetheless.

In regards to left handed bats, the one place they do not need a left handed bat is CF. They have Ankiel and Bernadina already, which is why I suspect the right handed Carroll will have an advantage over the LH Brown and Xavier Paul. The bench would have one LH bat (Ankiel or Bernadina) two RH bats (DeRosa and Flores) a switch hitter (Lombardozzi) plus the final spot. And since Ankiel (LH) will join the bench once we're a few weeks into the season and Harper arrives, I think they need to see one more right handed hitter coming off the bench in April to decide who gets demoted / jettisoned when Harper shows up. By then, it could be any of Ankiel, Bernadina or this final bench guy losing their spot on the active roster.

And since Ankiel (LH) will join the bench once we're a few weeks into the season and Harper arrives.Neither Ankiel nor Bernadina have proven themselves to be reliable major league hitters … most especially off the bench. That's what gives Corey Brown his shot … but it will likely have to come from Syracuse. IMO the #1 right handed bench bat and first basemen seems likely be some combination of Tyler Moore and Chris Marerro before the season ends. I am hopefully that Corey Brown shows enough to return with Harper from Syracuse in place of Bernadina and Ankiel if those two again prove unable to be offensive threats. Otherwise, its going to be a pathetic Riggleman old-school Cardinals offense (today's is more like the old-school Yankees or Orioles). I can't see Johnson tolerating that for very long.

There now seems to be a possibility for Desmond to get optioned to AAA to work on his "batting stance adjustments" that he refuses to reconsider given the advice of Johnson, Eckstein, and DeRosa as Lannan was to AA to work on his pitching in 2010. Rizzo says the majors is the performance league. Adjustments such as those Desmond is attempting belongs in the minors. And if it doesn't work there lots of guys are going to leap ahead of him.

Oh there's no doubt that pitching will carry this years team, followed by defense and then last, hitting.I do believe the pitching is as good as advertised, so I see 87 wins, maybe 88 or 89 (if offense is better than I expect this year.)I'm very confident in the Nats pitching, no doubt.Very talented, but also with enough depth to cover an injury or two.

Kilgore and Amanda are reporting that Gio is in the mix for opening day starter.. I think that would be weird. It should be either Stras or JZ. My preference is for JZ, because well, after this year, he won't get a chance. I am sure Davey is just playing with us and it will be Stras. Still would like to see JZ get the nod.

Kilgore and Amanda are reporting that Gio is in the mix for opening day starter.. I think that would be weird. It should be either Stras or JZ. My preference is for JZ, because well, after this year, he won't get a chance. I am sure Davey is just playing with us and it will be Stras. Still would like to see JZ get the nod.No, not really. All four probably deserve a shot. But I do agree that it should be JZimnn. Plus, Strasburg is still coming off the TJ so starting him later and even away from chilly Wrigley might be better. As far as Gio and EJax? They both pitched 200 innings plus last season. Both have made All Star appearances. Has Stras? Zimmermann? No.

They could hold Strasburg's season debut off until the home opener since there is an off day during that first road trip and they won't need a 5th starter. That way he also he gets THREE starts during the opening homestand. Win-Win-Win!

bdrube said… They could hold Strasburg's season debut off until the home opener since there is an off day during that first road trip and they won't need a 5th starter. That way he also he gets THREE starts during the opening homestand. Win-Win-Win! March 11, 2012 8:44 PM That's actually a great idea, Bdrube. It stretches Jesus's 160 innings maybe into September as well. Plus, I've got OD tix. I'll take a Strasmas holiday as well.

I really think you guys are overthinking this "stretching Strasburg's innings" out. Rizzo and Davey will run him out there until they think it's a bad idea, and he'll probably be somewhere near 160, but it's not a target. He's way too important for that.

bdrube said…They could hold Strasburg's season debut off until the home opener since there is an off day during that first road trip and they won't need a 5th starter.Take another look at the schedule and count the days between games.Th 4/5 @CHC first starter pitchesFr 4/6 offSat 4/7 @CHC second starter pitchesSun 4/8 @CHC third starter pitchesMon 4/9 @NYM fourth starter pitchesTues 4/10 @NYM first starter has four days rest, could pitch. Otherwise, need a fifth starter.Wed 4/11 @NYM No starter has more than three days rest unless starter #1 didn't pitch 4/10. Otherwise, need a fifth starter.So all five starters will have to make their first start on the road. Home opener will likely be started by whoever pitches game #2 on Sat 4/7.

Does anyone have Gameday Audio on their Blackberry/iPhone? If so, how do you like it? I'm moving out of the DC area, but I'd like to still hear Dave and Charlie call the game while I'm at the gym and I'm trying to figure out the best way to do that.

OK, along with Mark's CSN story about the RedSox making a (reportedly weak) offer for Lannan (stupid to trade him for bad value when he's more valuable as insurance in Syracuse, against an injury to some starter somewhere), there was another bit of tea leaves. In the Nats ST Program that I finally got around to reading, there are two articles — one a Curly W live story, another a 2012 preview — that list the Nationals' wealth of starting pitching. Both stories list six starters, and they both leave out the same one. Not all that surprising but it's interesting to see that kind of confirmation

I have Gameday audio on my iPhone, and I LOVE it. I use a bluetooth in one ear, and I can listen wherever I am (even while I am working–shhhh!). The audio quality is excellent, and, although it drains the battery some, I invested in a charger that I carry along with me, and I get about 8 extra hours from the charger, so no problem.If you are moving out of the area and can afford it, MLB.tv also works great on the iPhone and you would not have to worry about the blackout of the Nats except when they play in your new town.

MLBTV isn't on the iPhone isn't so hot. Another product of the subcontinent of India I imagine. The server side at least. It was great in 2010. But it tends not to hold video signals with 2011. I haven't tried 2012 yet. Signal drop even on my Mac at home though … again seems like a server (India Inc.) issue.

My signal drops every time I cross the Memorial Bridge. It picks up after the Pentagon. Somehow I don't think that's related to servers in India… Other than that, it's been pretty steady. A disappointment, however, is the support for Android devices, i.e., NONE. Just audio is available, and the quality is terrible. Last year I was able to watch postseason games, although in "Beta" mode. This year, nada, even though the Samsung Galaxy is on the list of supported devices.

NatsLady, try calling the Customer Service number that is listed on the MLB media center page. I did that when I was having problems purchasing Gameday Audio and the guy who answered spent a lot of time on the phone with me trying to troubleshoot it.NatsLady said… NatsJack, I did that, and I only get the icon for audio, no video. I've emailed support twice and gotten no reply. March 12, 2012 6:44 AM